Author: Jonathan Billings

Trends in homelessness are constantly changing. In order to keep a frontline service relevant and productive, the services must change with the times. We can’t just keep on doing the same things, the same way. Homelessness services must be prepared to adapt and evolve to meet the demands of an ever changing client group. Times…

The use of the synthetic drug Spice is fast becoming a serious problem and is having a detrimental impact on the lives of homeless and disadvantaged people in Stockport and Manchester as well as lots of other parts of the UK. Spice is a New Psychoactive Substance that is a man made chemical version of…

Stockport Express update 22-02-17 Jonathan Billings Project Manager The Wellspring. I am becoming increasingly concerned with the number of people who are currently begging in Stockport town centre. I was speaking to a person who was begging close to Mersey Way last week for around 5 minutes. During this short time 3 members of…

Stockport Express Update 14-12-16 Jonathan Billings Project Manager The Wellspring The festive period can be a very difficult time for people, especially people who are rough sleeping or homeless. Shelter one of many homelessness charities are reporting a 30% increase in homelessness nationally over the last 12 months alone, this is very much in…

Stockport Express Update 07-12-16 Jonathan Billings Project Manager The Wellspring We would like to express our thanks to everyone who has made donations to our two Christmas campaigns. Both have been really successful so far but it’s not too late to donate! On Sunday 4th December we hosted the Rucksack project for the 4th year,…

Stockport Express Update 30-11-16 Jonathan Billings Project Manager The Wellspring The Wellspring has been chosen to be on of 3 local charities that are being supported by a new endeavour run by the newly rebranded Cooperative stores in Stockport. When shoppers purchase any Cooperative branded items in the stores a percentage of the…

Over the winter months The Wellspring staff team will be providing lots of Outreach services directly on to the streets of Stockport and Manchester. The aim of this work is to engage homeless people with support services. On Sunday 4th December The Wellspring will host The Rucksack Project 2016. This encourages people to donate practical…

Stockport Express Update 23-11-16 Jonathan Billings Project Manager The Wellspring. The governments Homelessness Reduction Bill is welcome news to us at The Wellspring. If the bill becomes law then local authority’s will have a duty to provide people with advice and services when they are at risk of becoming homeless. Preventing homelessness…

We had some very welcome news this week from Stockport Homes as they have now started to provide Cold Weather Provision for anyone who is currently sleeping rough. This means that almost anyone, regardless of their circumstances or situation will be provided with somewhere safe and warm to sleep at night. But only if…

All New Psychoactive Substances are now illegal to be sold or produced in the UK. This is welcome news and a step in the right direction. However these drugs are going nowhere fast and they will continue to cause havoc to the lives of homeless and disadvantaged people. Everyone has known for many months that…

Homelessness is by its very nature a complex challenging issue. Each and every case that I come across tends to be different and presents different challenges. If you asked Joe Public in the street what thier idea of a homeless person is they would probably describe an older male, unkempt and unshaven. This is far from fact….

Does one bad apple really spoil the bunch? Yes in my experience is does. For many years I’ve built and developed the service that I manage, yes I’ve had lots of help and support along the way, at times lots of support and at others not so much! From day one with nothing more than…